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Not All Outlaws are Criminals: “Code of the West” Film Review

On the eve of the day in which approximately half of all voting Montanans will receive their 2012 primary election mail-in ballots, I dedicated some time to reviewing “Code of the West“, a documentary account of the rise and fall of Montana’s medical marijuana industry, thanks to the Montana Legislature’s obsession with eliminating this “scourge” from Montana. Directed by Rebecca Richman Cohen, an Emmy award nominated filmmaker, “Code of the West” was a grim but generally accurate portrayal of the events surrounding Montana’s 62nd legislative session. The footage of our great state was beautiful and the final result was a truly impartial look at medical marijuana in Montana.

Medical marijuana is a contentious issue in Montana and emotions run high on all sides of the topic. Richman Cohen accomplished something I thought was impossible. While still unlikable, I didn’t despise Cherrie Brady, whose group “Safe Community, Safe Kids” was largely responsible for the rapid decline of legislative support for regulatory marijuana legislation, nearly as much as I did during the legislative session. The movie portrayed Brady as someone who was convinced of her beliefs and obviously committed to maintaining the lies behind prohibition. It seems like many religious people feel they need to remove all temptation and risk from the lives of their children and spouses in order to live a virtuous existence and Cherrie is no exception. With those thoughts in mind, I have decided she is no longer deserving of my enmity, I’ve decided instead to pity her. Education is the key to overcoming ignorance, but first we must overcome fear.

I am very thankful that some of the clowns Montanans elected to represent us in our legislature won’t be returning in the 2013 session. Mike Milburn, Speaker of the House and sponsor of HB 161, the marijuana repeal bill is termed out of the house. Rep. James Knox, sobbing on cue in the documentary footage as he claimed the repeal was necessary to “save other people’s brothers” from the evils of marijuana, has thankfully moved to Texas. The entire house of representatives and over half of the senate is up for reelection this June (primary) and November (general election).

Although each election is portrayed as the most important in our lifetime, this election is crucial to Montana’s future. Marijuana didn’t destroy our state’s rough and tough cowboy image… the blame for that is placed squarely on our elected officials. They are quick to tell the feds to stay out of our healthcare, let us deal with our own wolves, and that they will pry our guns from our cold, dead hands yet when marijuana providers were being raided and robbed by our government, they not only didn’t protest, they welcomed federal intrusion. Montana isn’t represented by strong, rugged leaders, we have spineless yes-men eager to toe the party line to protect their political future. It is time we stand up to them and send a serious message on election day, that we are a force to be reckoned with.

Much has occurred since completion of the documentary. Parts of SB 423, the legislature’s virtual repeal of Montana’s medical marijuana law have yet to be implemented as a result of a temporary court injunction. Naturally, the state of Montana has appealed that ruling and oral arguments are scheduled before Montana’s Supreme Court on May 30. Countless Montanans have lost everything they own as a result of asset forfeiture, whether or not they were ever indicted by the feds. Those who were indicted also lost their freedom to the federal government’s unconscionable war on drugs. Tom Daubert, one of the film’s primary characters, an indicted co-owner of Montana Cannabis, has cut a deal with the government as have nearly all of those indicted as a result of the March 2011 raids. So far, nobody has been brave enough to test the government in court and the feds have in most cases offered very attractive deals to cooperative witnesses. Perhaps though, the tides are changing. Chris Lindsey, one of Daubert’s former business partners plans to take the case to trial. Although he essentially faces a mandatory minimum life sentence, he believes in the cause enough to fight for his freedom and thus, for our rights. As Chris faces a lifetime behind bars, the least we can all do is show up in vast numbers to vote for the candidates who are friendly to our cause. For more information on those candidates, see the 2012 Montana Cannabis Voters Guide. As more information becomes available, the guide will be updated. Primary elections are Tuesday, June 5.

Want to see “Code of the West” for yourself? Screenings of the film will be shown in cities across Montana May 15 – May 23. For details on dates, times and locations- as well as information about the discussion panels to follow the screening, check this link. We realize that this is an emotional issue, but we would ask that those attending the screening refrain from any negative behavior. We have the truth on our side, why contribute to the inaccurate image our opposition has painted for us? Tolerance may not provide instant gratification, but in the end, it will be worth it.

5 thoughts on “Not All Outlaws are Criminals: “Code of the West” Film Review”

On the other side of the Montana debate, the documentary follows advocates of the medical marijuana repeal effort, including Cherrie Brady of Safe Communities Safe Kids and Montana Speaker of the House Mike Milburn (R) HD 19 Cascade, who sponsored the bill to repeal the medical marijuana initiative and make all marijuana use again a crime.

“There just seems to be a huge disparity among states” as to how marijuana laws are enforced, says Rebecca Richman Cohen, writer and director of “ Code of the West ,” a film that documented the Montana legislature’s crackdown on medical marijuana 2011.

It was Chris WILLIAMS, not Chris Lindsey who tested the U.S. Government by going to trial. Chris Lindsey took a plea bargain that required him to testify against his former business partner, Chris WILLIAMS, during his trial.

Kourtney, you may notice that when this article was written, Chris Lindsey had not accepted a plea deal. Chris Williams didn’t “test the US government”, he tested a jury and he lost. Period. I don’t appreciate the patronizing tone.